Today, machines can make their own decisions to a certain extent - not so long ago this seemed utopian. Today we perhaps think more realistically than people did 100 years ago - or more short-sightedly. Today's questions are more about whether digitalized production is at the expense of jobs. Well, some say so, others say so, and there may well be differences in individual cases.

However, one thing is clear: digitalization is real and everyone is well advised to make the most of it with an open mind. In a world of ever-increasing demands, the more willing individuals are to open up and understand them, the better they will be able to hold their own. From their workplace to the bigger picture. And I am convinced that the only way to ensure that people do not get lost in the dynamic environment they have created is to have as much knowledge as possible.

Individuals can make the best contribution if they are allowed to exploit their potential - then they will also create the most value. This requires freedom. The freedom to do what suits you best. We want an engineer with an inventive spirit and sound specialist knowledge. A writer with creativity, acumen and a feel for language, and a politician should have specialist knowledge in their field, vision and the courage to think independently. Of course, this is not always the case; the reality is often more complex. In any case, genuine enthusiasm for the cause is crucial. In terms of industry, digitalization can actually help to offer people more freedom, relieve them of tedious tasks and leave the more interesting ones to them, thereby increasing motivation and, with it, productivity. Combined with more joy and satisfaction.

And if we get it right and focus on people and their needs, we may be able to combine the realization of the individual and the best possible value creation with the help of digitalization. Sounds utopian? Perhaps. But didn't a lot of things that are reality today sound utopian a few decades ago, which many of us still remember well?

Our focus on "People and the digital factory" in this issue clearly shows that we don't need to worry at the moment. That "the machine" - the digitalized environment - is not taking over our thinking, but is thinking with us, supporting us and perhaps actually giving us more freedom than we feared 100 years ago.

Yours, Andreas Mühlbauer